How Power is Restored

When electricity goes out, most of us expect power will be restored within a few hours. But when a major storm causes widespread damage, longer outages may result. CPI crews work long, hard hours to restore service safely to the greatest number of consumers in the shortest time possible. Here’s what’s going on if you find yourself in the dark.

Because transmission lines and substations must be properly working before distribution lines, tap lines, and individual services can work, CPI will repair transmission lines and substations first. Substations step down high transmission line voltages to distribution line voltages.

Next come main distribution lines. Repairing these lines restores power to a large area. Distribution voltages are stepped down by transformers to individual-service voltages.

Now tap lines can be worked on. Repairing a single tap line might restore service to many more individual users. With all of the feeder lines in the area repaired, individual services can now be worked on.

Following these priorities allows CPI to restore service to as many people, in as short an interval of time, as possible. The next time you see a CPI repair crew be sure to wave, but we ask that you give them space to work. They’re often working under very difficult conditions, and they need the space so they can focus on restoring power safely.

Steps to Restoring Power